

ARISTOLOCHIACEjE. 527 



and have been considered as eminently emmenagogue. Many of them are 

 held in high estimation also as alexipharmics. 



Asarum. — Linn. * 



Calyx campanulate, 3 — 4-cleft. Corolla wanting. Stamens 12, inserted on the ovary. 

 Anthers adnate to the middle of the filaments. Style short. Stigma stellate, 6-lobed. 

 Capsule inferior, six-celled, crowned by the persistent calyx. 



A small genus of low herbaceous plants with creeping rhizomes, having 

 short bifoliate stems, and a single dichotomal flower. The roots in all of 

 them are aromatic, and pungent. Two species are officinal, one in Europe 

 and one in the United States. 



1. A. europ^ea. — Leaves reniform, obtuse, binate. 



Linn., Sp. PI. 633 ; Woodville, i. t. 66 ; Engl Bot., t. 1083 ; Stephenson 

 and Churchill, i. 23 ; Flor. Med., i. t. 43. 



Common Names. — Asarabacca ; Hazelwort ; Wild Nard. 



It is a native of many parts of Europe, growing in moist shady situations, 

 and flowers in April and May. It was known to the ancients under the 

 name of Asarum, but it appears from Pliny that it was confounded with the 

 Baccharis, and it has been supposed that its common name of Asarabacca 

 was a compound of both these appellations. The leaves and roots, which 

 are the parts used, have a pepper-like odour, and an acrid, bitter, somewhat 

 aromatic taste ; the odour of the leaves is very slight. According to Grager, 

 they contain a liquid Volatile Oil, a Neutral principle, which he calls asarite, 

 and a Bitter substance, which he denominates asarin, some Camphor, Citric 

 acid, &c. 



Medical Uses. — The roots and leaves have emetic, cathartic, and diuretic 

 properties. At one time they were very much employed to excite vomiting, 

 but since the introduction of ipecacuanha are seldom used for this purpose. 

 In large doses they operate on the bowels with griping pains. Dr. Cullen 

 has given them among his list of diuretics, but is doubtful if they have 

 any specific power in exciting the action of the kidneys. According to 

 Richter, however, this plant is capable of exercising a stimulant influence on 

 the whole of the nervous and vascular system. It has also been recom- 

 mended in fevers, obstructions, dropsies, &c, and is used by farriers as a 

 vermifuge in horses. 



It is now mainly employed as a sternutatory. The powder in doses of 

 one or two grains snuffed up the nostrils creates much irritation, accompanied 

 by violent sneezing, and a copious flow of mucus. This discharge sometimes 

 continues for several days, and hence its administration in this way has 

 proved useful in some affections of the head, eyes, and teeth. The so-called 

 Cephalic snuffs usually owe their errhine properties to this plant. The dose 

 of the powder as an emetic is from thirty grains to a drachm. The leaves 

 being milder than the root must be given in larger doses. 



2. A. canadense, Linn. — Leaves broad, reniform, entire, puberulent. Flowers tomen- 

 tose, three-parted. 



Linn., Sp. PI 633 ; Bigelow, Med. Bot. i. 150, t. 15 ; Barton, Veg. Mat. 

 Med. ii. 85, t. 32 ; Rafinesque, Med. Flor. i. 70. 



Common Names. — Wild Ginger ; Colt's-foot ; Indian Ginger, &c. 



It is found in most parts of the United States in shady woods, especially 



